The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr John Oyegun has called on Nigerians to be patient with the present administration while it works to reposition the economy.

The chairman was reacting to the 2018 Budget Proposal presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari before the Joint Session of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

He said the Federal Government was doing its best to rebuild an economy that was near collapse before the assumption of office of the present administration.

While expressing optimism that the 2018 budget would cater to the needs of Nigerians, he said the process of rebuilding an economy often came with some form of hardship.

Oyegun, however, assured Nigerians that the period of hardship would be over and everyone would be better for it.

“The 2018 budget proposal presented by President Muhammadu Buhari was well received, we are all happy.

“The side attraction is that the President has demonstrated his determination to move the country forward.

“We are rebuilding the nation’s economy. The economy collapsed, oil price collapsed, everything is as if it is starting afresh. It takes time and it creates a lot of hardship

“We are appealing to Nigerians to be patient because at the end of the day we are going to have a country we will be proud of and an economy that will offer all Nigerians the opportunity to grow."

President Muhammadu Buhari had, while presenting the 2018 budget proposal, tagged “Budget of Consolidation’’, said the principal objective of the budget would be to reinforce and build on recent accomplishments.

He said the present government would sustain the reflationary policies of 2016 and 2017 budgets.

He said the key parameters and assumptions for the 2018 Budget were set out in the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

These parameters, he added included an oil price benchmark of 45 dollar per barrel, oil production estimate of 2.3 million barrels per day, including condensates and exchange rate of N305 per dollar for 2018.

Others according to him are real GDP growth of 3.5 per cent; and inflation rate of 12.4 per cent.

Deputy Inspector General of Police in Charge of South/East Zone, Mr Valentine Ntomchukwu inspecting Officers on guard at the Imo State Police Command, during the DIG's Official visit to the Command in Owerri on Monday (22/5/17). With him is the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Ezike
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Deputy Inspector General of Police in Charge of South/East Zone, Mr Valentine Ntomchukwu receiving a Holy Bible from the Chaplain, Imo State Police Command Rev Paul Damjuma, during the DIG's Official visit to the Command in Owerri on Monday (22/5/17).
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Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (3rd r) receiving the symbol of Canadian Parliament from the visiting member of Canadian Parliament, Mr Ramesh Sangha at the Oba’s Palace in Ile-Ife on Sunday
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Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue State signing the Anti Open Grazing and Anti Kidnapping, Abduction, Cultism and Terrorism bills into law in Makurdi on Monday (22/5/17)
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Cross section of traditional rulers during at a stakeholders meeting at the Benue Peoples House in Makurdi on Monday (22/5/17)
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From left: Gov Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Deputy Director , International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Dr Kenton Dashiell and former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the donation of 35,930 kilograms of seeds to Borno State Government by IITA in Maiduguri on Monday (22/5/17)
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Executive members of Plateau Youth Council Chapter Taken Oath of office before Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau State during their Inauguration in Jos on Monday (22/5/17)
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From left: Gov Simon Lalong, of Plateau State and Representative of President, National Youth Council, Amb Ibukunoluwa Oluwole during the inauguration of Plateau Youth Council Chapter in Jos on Monday (22/5/17/)
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Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mr Kayode Obasa (L) with representative of Actionaid Nigeria, Mr Tunde Aremu, at the stakeholders consultative meeting on 2018 Agriculture Budget, in Kaduna on Monday (22/5/17).
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From left: Ashipa of Ibadanland, Sir Eddy Oyewole; Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Kola Adegbola; the Anglican Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Most Rev. Segun Okubadejo; Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin; and representative of Ondo State Governor, Mr Tosin Ogunbodede, at the 7th Synod of Ibadan North Anglican Communion, in Ibadan on Monday (22/5/17).
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From left: Ashipa of Ibadanland, Sir Eddy Oyewole; Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Kola Adegbola; the Anglican Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Most Rev. Segun Okubadejo; Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, at the 7th Synod of Ibadan North Diocese of the Anglican Communion, in Ibadan on Monday (22/5/17).
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Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways, Rep. Pat Asadu (R) with Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Rep. Nkiruka Onyejeocha during a Public Hearing at the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday (22/5/17).
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From left: President, Nigerian Chembers of Shipping, Mr Andy Ischei; Former Commissioner for Information, Enugu State, Mr Chucks Ugwoke and Secretary to the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways, Miss Cythia Agu, during a Public Hearing at the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday (22/5/17).
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Gov Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state (2nd L); Commissioner for
Information and Culture, Mr Toye Arulogun (4th left) and other members
of Oyo State Executive Council at the World Cultural Day in Ibadan on Monday (22/5/17).
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Members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) during a Rally to mark 18th Anniversary of MASSOB in Owerri on Monday (22/5/17).
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Gov Muhammed Abubukar of Bauchi State (L) receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from his wife, Hadizah for his outstanding achievements in Bauchi state on Monday (22/5/17).
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Zaman Lafiya Cultural Troupe performing during the presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to Gov Muhammed Abubukar of Bauchi by his wife, Hadiza for his outstanding achievements in Bauchi state on Monday (22/5/17).
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